Hailed as “disruptive technology” and a “breakthrough”, the digital laser offers a method of controlling and dynamically altering a laser beam’s shape from within the unit.

Science and Technology minister Derek Hanekom and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced the creation of a â€œworld-first” digital laser at a press briefing on Tuesday in Pretoria.

Hailed as â€œdisruptive technology” and a â€œbreakthrough”, the digital laser offers a method of controlling and dynamically altering a laser beam’s shape from within the unit. Traditionally, beams have to be altered as they leave the laser or via a costly refit to change the positioning of internal components (mirrors). By replacing one of the laser’s mirrors with a liquid crystal display (LCD) the research team within the CSIR’s National Laser Centre were able to alter the beam at will.

There are a broad number of potential uses for this technology from medicine to communications. Team leader Professor Andrew Forbes said: â€œThis is a significant advancement from the traditional approach to laser beam control, which requires costly optics and realignment of the laser device for every beam change. Since this is all done with pictures, the digital laser represents a paradigm shift for laser resonators.”

â€œThe dynamic control of laser modes could open up many future applications,” he added. â€œOur device represents a new way of thinking about laser technology, and we see it as a new platform on which future technologies may be built.”

â€œThis is technology which may change the status quo and which could create new markets and value networks within the next few years or decade,” said CSIR researcher and PHD candidate Sandile Ngcobo. Ngcobo’s work is credited as leading to the project that was then developed by the laser team.

â€œThat the world’s first digital laser should come from our country is testimony to the calibre of scientists that South Africa has,” Hanekom added.